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Strikeouts, walks key to Friday's 'crazy game'

Strikeouts, walks key to Friday's 'crazy game'

Bud Black

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LOS ANGELES -- San Diego manager Bud Black was on record when he referred to Friday's 9-8 loss to the Dodgers as "a crazy game."

After all, the Padres hitters struck out 18 times but still managed to score eight runs. Also, the pitchers the Padres used during the game -- Clayton Richard, Brad Brach, Andrew Cashner and Joe Thatcher -- combined to walk 10 Dodgers hitters.

The 10 walks were the most by the Padres in a nine-inning game since Aug. 30 of last season against these same Dodgers in an 8-5 loss at Dodger Stadium.

In that game last season, starting pitcher Tim Stauffer walked seven batters.

"Ten walks out of our staff are rare," Black said. "I know [pitching coach Darren Balsley] takes a lot of pride in that and so do our pitchers."

Oddly enough, the Padres went into the bottom of the ninth inning with six walks. But that was before Cashner got two quick outs before loading the bases on three walks. Left-handed reliever Thatcher then walked Andre Ethier to force in the winning run.